Vision 2020 “The right to sight” includes all except –
**Question:** Vision 2020 "The right to sight" includes all except –
A. Refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism)
B. Glaucoma
C. Cataract
D. Retinal detachment
**Core Concept:** Vision 2020 is a global initiative aiming to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020. It includes prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of vision-related diseases and conditions.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** Refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) are conditions where the eye cannot focus light properly on the retina, leading to blurred vision. Correcting these errors with spectacles, contact lenses, or refractive surgeries does not cause any permanent damage to the eye, so they are not considered vision-related blindness.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Refractive errors are treatable and do not result in permanent visual impairment, making them an exception to the Vision 2020 initiative.
B. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve and subsequent vision loss. Although it is a vision-related issue, it does not fit into the category of avoidable blindness, which is the main focus of Vision 2020.
C. Cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens within the eye, causing vision loss. It is a vision-related condition, but it also falls under treatable vision loss rather than avoidable blindness.
D. Retinal detachment involves the separation of the retina from its blood supply, leading to loss of vision. It is a vision-related issue, but it is not considered avoidable blindness as it can be caused by traumatic injuries or inherited defects.
**Clinical Pearl:** Vision 2020 focuses on preventing, treating, and rehabilitating avoidable causes of blindness, which primarily include cataract, trachoma, onchocerciasis, river blindness, leprosy, and other avoidable causes. However, refractive errors, glaucoma, cataract, and retinal detachment are not included as they represent treatable vision loss rather than avoidable blindness.